Bennington, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bennington, Ottawa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bennington?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Ottawa forecast zone and Ottawa County — the most common reported hazard around Bennington, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Jun 2026 | Jul 9, 2004 · $25,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2024 | Dec 7, 1997 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Jun 2026 | May 6, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jul 2012 | Jul 19, 2010 · $240,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Sep 2025 | Sep 8, 2025 · $3.6 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Jun 2014 | Mar 23, 1996 · $40,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Jan 16, 2003 · 1 death |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Ottawa forecast zone and Ottawa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bennington get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Bennington, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Minneapolis weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bennington?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 73 miles east. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Bennington | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 73 mi east | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 96 mi south | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 100 mi north-northwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Bennington
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bennington, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on May 25, 2016, which passed about 9 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 1, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 695 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 79 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 1, 2011.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Bennington's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Bennington radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bennington, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 73 miles east. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bennington?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bennington the lowest scan from KTWX is about 6,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bennington free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Bennington, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Salina, KS radar 15 mi
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- Chapman, KS radar 31 mi
- Lindsborg, KS radar 32 mi
- Clay Center, KS radar 35 mi
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- Junction City, KS radar 40 mi